European Vacation Planning Map
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Your European Vacation and the Tumbling Dollar - Should you go this Year? You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Europe for Visitors Central Sardinia, where viewing ancient "Giant's Tombs" is free. James Martin Stay up to date! Central Sardinia, where viewing ancient "Giant's Tombs" is free. James Martin Email to a friend Print this page The Euro Guide to the Euro Using your Credit Card in Europe Using your ATM Card in Europe Recent Discussions Need Help Planning a Trip Accomodation in london Mediteranean Feries Planning your European Vacation European Vacation Planner Map Europe Travel Basics Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors Your European Vacation and the Tumbling Dollar - Should you go this Year? From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Feb 12 2004 Will my vacation be too exensive? Maybe not as expensive as you think! A reader asks: "Should we wait until the Euro gets weaker to plan our European vacation?"
While I am certain to be viewed as a biased source of information on this topic, and considering the fact that no one I know has a crystal ball able to predict exchange rates, I will nevertheless plunge ahead and give my reasons and justifications for taking that vacation to Europe this year.
Exchange Rate. No one can predict what the future will hold, but some "experts" have surmised that the dollar may fall to as low as 1.5 Euros before the bloodbath is over. At the time of writing, the rate seems to have stabilized in the short term at around 1.25 or so. It's hard to see the dollar strengthening anytime soon, given the huge deficit and slow economy. Waiting for the dollar to strengthen may leave you waiting a long time. But maybe things aren't as bad as you think.
Historically, Things Average Out. I've been traveling to Europe since the mid 1970s, and it's always seemed to me that prices have slowly risen as hotels adapted higher standards and the economy reacted to general increases in living standards, especially in Southern Europe. These changes seemed slow and steady, and largely independent of major short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate. See the next argument for a free market reason why I may not have noticed currency fluctuations much during my travels.
The Equal and Opposite Reaction. With the sharp decline in US visitors to Europe we've seen over these past couple of years, hotels are finally lowering their rates, recognizing that their excess supply of rooms may continue unless something is done to entice visitors. For example Arthur Frommer reports that London "hotels of five-star quality (are) charging less than $150 for a double room that would normally cost $400." This is how the Free Market is supposed to work; when things get too expensive for people to buy, prices must drop to "incent" them. It's happening for hotel rooms, airfares, and other tourist-only items right now. The effect may be that your vacation cost won't be as high as you might think compared to previous years. Just don't expect to buy standard European goods at a discount--shopping at home is recommended when the dollar is week.
Last year I walked into a great looking hotel in Chaves, Portugal, only to notice the sign on the desk proclaiming that all rooms were 90 Euros. When the clerk asked to help me, I pointed out that the room was too expensive and turned to leave--but fortunately not before she offered the room at 60 Euros, a price she quoted as standard for these tough tourist times. While still expensive for Portugal, the room offered 4 star, air conditioned comfort with a great view of the castle from the balcony, and the most elegant bathroom we've ever bathed in.
Things Change. An argument put forth by Carol Field and others is that European traditions are fading quickly in a multi cultural, easily traveled world. While independent of exchange rate, this argument, for me, is a compelling one, especially as Starbucks and McDonalds replace small, family run cafes and restaurants and Europe starts to look more and more like main street USA. I don't travel to experience the same things I can at home, and it's why I have to dig deeper and deeper to find places that celebrate those rapidly disappearing cultural differences.
The price of gas and the doomsday scenario. Many experts suggest that the price of gasoline will have to rise sharply to cover the cost of recovering oil from the neglected wells in Iraq (yes, oil wells go bad, I've read) and this increase is likely to spike after the elections and continue on an upward trend. Europe, it seems to me, is in a much better position to weather these increases in the short term, as they offer alternative modes of public transportation.
Even Worse: There is no doubt that oil is an increasingly rare commodity in an energy hungry world, and steadily rising prices will effect most of us around the globe equally. (Studies of Peak Oil and Gas ( pdf ) have predicted the production of Oil peaking at the end of this decade, and slowly declining thereafter.) This is my doomsday strategy, "go while you can, who knows what economic nastiness lurks around the next corner as we run out of energy sources."
Have a different view? Why not submit a rebuttal through our submittal form ?
How to offset the dollar's weakness without sacrificing your vacation Fun? Read on to Page Two: Saving Money on your European Vacation - 12 Frugal Vacation Tips . Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There
Japan Travel Tips Japanese
Japan Travel Information - World Travel You are here: About > Travel > Japan for Visitors Travel Go Japan Essentials Clickable Map of Japan Japan Pictures Japan Travel Tips Japanese Geisha Japan 101 - Fact about Japan Articles & Resources Japan Maps Picture of Japan / Web cams Best of Japan / Attractions Hotels/Accommodations Tokyo / Cities / Regions Japanese Translators Japanese Culture Etiquette / Living in Japan Japan Weather / Geography Japan History / Samurai Japanese Penpal / Chat Plan Your Trip to Japan Air Travel / Train Travel Restaurants / Japanese Food Japanese Gift / Japan Books Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Japanese Gifts Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Japan for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses Search Japan for Visitors From Shizuko Mishima , Your Guide to Japan for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Best Japan Photos in 2005 Which Japan photo gallery was viewed the most by visitors to About Japan for Visitor's site? Best Japan Photo Gallery of 2005 Wednesday December 28, 2005 | permalink Japanese New Year's Cards Sending New Year's cards to relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, and co-workers is an important custom in Japan. Send your favorite Japanese new year's cards online! Free Japanese ecards Monday December 26, 2005 | permalink Photo Gallery: Christmas Decorations in Japan Christmas in Tokyo Disneyland, Odaiba, Ebisu Garden Place, and more. Japanese Christmas Pictures Saturday December 24, 2005 | permalink Christmas in Tokyo There are many fun events and beautiful Christmas illuminations to visit in Tokyo. Here is a list of places to go. Tokyo Christmas Pictures of Christmas in Japan Shibuya Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licenced to About.com, Inc. Wednesday December 21, 2005 | permalink Japan Holiday Travel Tips Are you planning to visit Japan in December or January? I have some travel tips for you. Japanese Holidays Monday December 19, 2005 | permalink Japanese Railways Japanese railway systems are very advanced. Traveling by trains is very efficient. Plan a trip by trains in Japan. A list of railways in Japan Photo (c) 2005 Shizuko Mishima, licensed to About.com, Inc. Saturday December 17, 2005 | permalink Health Insurances in Japan "I plan on going to Japan in April to study for two years can anyone tell me what is a good insurance company. I hear health care in Japan is very expensive..." Suggestions? Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Christmas in Japan December 25th is not a Japanese national holiday . How do Japanese people spend Christmas? Read more... Pictures of Christmas in Japan Pictures of Tokyo Ebisu Garden Place, Tokyo - Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licenced to About.com Inc. Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Japanese Gift Ideas This is a list of Japanese things which might be good gifts for your loved ones. Japanese Gifts Monday December 12, 2005 | permalink Top 10 Christmas Lights to See in Japan Beautiful Christmas decorations are seen many places. This is a list of popular destinations for Christmas illuminations in Japan. Visit many places near your destinations! Japan Christmas Lights and Decorations Chirstmas in Japan Photo (c) Shizuko Mishima, licenced to About.com, Inc. Saturday December 10, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular New Year Cards Japanese Geisha Christmas in Japan Japanese Tattoos Free Japanese postcards - Japanese new year cards - japan fr... What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo Related Topics Japanese Cuisine Japanese Language Asia for Visitors Anime PlayStation Games Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Japan Postcard - Japanese free email postcards - New Year's ... Japan Map - Nagano Prefecture Map - Map of Japan Universal Studios Japan Odaiba Photos Pictures of Japan - mount fuji picture - mt. fuji Photo Headlines Best Japan Photos in 2005 Which Japan photo gallery was viewed the most by visitors... Japanese New Year's Cards Sending New Year's cards to relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, and... Photo Gallery: Christmas Decorations in Japan Christmas in Tokyo Disneyland, Odaiba, Ebisu Garden Place, and more.... Christmas in Tokyo There are many fun events and beautiful Christmas illuminations to...
Hotel Travel
Hotel and Travel Information Hotel | Rental Car | Airline Tickets | Travel Assistance Hotel Information This hotel consists of two adjacent structures--an East and West Tower. Unless you specify a particular Tower, you will be placed by room availability on confirmation of your reservation. To make your hotel reservations call: 1-800-325-3535 or Call the hotel directly at (619) 692-2265 To be eligible for these discounted rates you must identify yourself as attending the "O'Reilly Open Source Convention". NOTE: The cutoff date for this discount is June 22, 2001. Reservations requests will be accepted only on a space and rate availability basis after the cut-off date. Rates Standard View Premium Club Level $171.00 $181.00 $239.00 All rates are single or double occupancy. Additional persons are $20.00 per person, per night. Room categories are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A percentage of each category is available for the entire week. Rates do not include a 10.545% city occupancy tax (subject to change without notice). Hotel Address Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina 1380 Harbor Island Drive San Diego, California 92101 Tel: (619) 291-2900 Fax: (619) 692-2337 Getting There The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina offers a complimentary shuttle Service between the Airport and Hotel from 5:30am-Midnight. Vans depart every 15 minutes from the hotel lobbies. Parking Valet parking: $18.00 per night Self Parking: $12.00 per night Both include in and out privileges and rates are subject to change without prior notice. Upon Request To assist you with packing your bags, it might be helpful to know that the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina offers the following items available upon request. Bedboards High chair Bed rails Pillows (additional) Blankets (additional) Non-allergenic pillows Continental Bed Sewing kits Crib Shaving cream Curling Iron Shower stool Disposable Razor Step stool Electrical converter plugs TDD Glassware (additional) Towels (additional) Hangers (additional) Toothbrush kit Travel Assistance To make travel arrangements which include the special O'Reilly discounts on United Airlines and Hertz rental cars, and discounts on hotels (other than the conference hotel), attendees are encouraged to call the official O'Reilly conference travel planner: Vivian Russell Travel Services 182 Farmers Lane, Suite 102C Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Phone: 707-525-0550 Fax: 707-525-0560 Email: vivianv@sonic.net Rental Car Should you choose to make travel arrangements independently, you may contact Hertz directly to receive the special O'Reilly discount on rental cars at the Open Source Convention. To reserve a car with your special rate, call Hertz : 1-800-654-2240 in the U.S. 1-800-263-0600 in Canada 1-405-749-4434 outside of these areas or call your nearest Hertz reservation center, your corporate travel department or your travel agent. You must give the agent the Hertz CV# 01XY0010 . Airline Tickets O'Reilly & Associates is pleased to announce that it has been able to secure a special discount agreement with United Airlines unavailable to the general public. If you are making your travel arrangements independently, you are encouraged to call United Airlines' toll free number: 1-800-521-4041 to receive a 5% discount off the lowest applicable discount fare, including First Class, or, a 10% discount off the unrestricted mid-week coach fare. United will also offer an additional 5% off of those tickets purchased at least 60 days in advance. Discounts also apply on Shuttle by United and United Express flights. You must refer to Meeting ID Number 550QK in order to receive the conference attendee discount. See & Do This years Open Source Convention offers fun for the whole family. We encourage all attendees, speakers, and exhibitors to bring their families and significant others for the entire week to take advantage of our beautiful tropical locale. View our See & Do page . O'Reilly & Associates assumes no responsibility or liability for the facilities or services provided by the vendors and suppliers. Anyone attending this conference releases O'Reilly from any and all claims that may arise out of attending at this conference.
South America Travel Guide
Google Directory - Regional > South America > Travel and Tourism > Travel Guides Directory Help Search only in Travel Guides Search the Web Travel Guides Regional > South America > Travel and Tourism > Travel Guides Go to Directory Home Categories Argentina (26) Bolivia (4) Brazil (26) Chile (21) Colombia (13) Ecuador (12) Falkland Islands (6) French Guiana (6) Guyana (13) Paraguay (6) Peru (13) Suriname (7) Uruguay (5) Venezuela (11) Related Categories: Recreation > Travel > Guides and Directories (152) Regional > South America > Guides and Directories (22) Web Pages Viewing in Google PageRank order View in alphabetical order South American Explorers Club - http://www.samexplo.org Travel information for South and Central America. Columbus Guides - World Travel Guide: South America - http://www.wtgonline.com/region/sam.asp Tourist and business travel information by country with facts on climate, visa, health, passport, currency and customs requirements. Nuevo Mundo - http://www.nvmundo.com Provides a searchable hotel, tour and restaurant database for South and Central America. South America Outdoors - http://gorp.away.com/gorp/location/latamer/south_america.htm A travel, tourism and recreation guide, including hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, nature and national parks. Aventura - http://www.aventura-mag.com A travel publication focused on Latin America with a searchable database of adventure activities and destinations. Think Venezuela - http://think-venezuela.net Venezuela's history, culture and nature discussed. Exploitz - http://www.exploitz.com/pages/regions/southamerica/ Photos and images of travels and adventures with computer gear throughout the continent. Gofir South America - http://www.gofir.com/regions/south_america.htm Originally developed to assist the professional flight crew obtain information for the purpose of planning a domestic or international flight. Adventure South America - http://photoadventure.8m.com Travel quide to South America, specially designed to photographers, videographers, Tv and Cinema producers. South America for Visitors - http://gosouthamerica.about.com/travel/gosouthamerica/ From airlines to zoos, everything the visitor to South America needs to make the journey memorable. Seektravel - http://www.seektravel.com/sthamerica.html Travel to South America, covering airlines, hotels, and other resources. BUPA International - http://www.bupa-intl.travel-guides.com/Country.jsp?Region=South%20America Travel guides and country information. AmazonHerp - http://www.amazonherp.com/ Introduction to the reptiles and amphibians of the Peruvian Amazon, with many images. Also includes sections on people and places, travel, and articles from Reptiles magazine by Matt Russell. InterHabit - http://www.interhabit.com/ Information about destinations, maps, tips, spots to visit, lodging, tours and activities. Includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru and the Falkland-Malvinas Islands. Americasol - http://www.americasol.net An information provider, specially visual, about Ecological Tourism and Adventure Travel in South America. Preview of places and of routes of trips through virtual tours. Patagonias - http://www.patagonias.net/Services.htm Listings include travel agencies, rent a car, airlines, bus, marine transport and adventure tourism in Patagonia Argentina and Chile. South America Travel Guide - http://www.tripeze.com/en/content/TravelGuides/index.jhtml?SearchValueID=T3 Offers destination information researched and written by a professional editorial teame. Worldsurface - http://www.worldsurface.com/browse/location-region-m.asp?locationid=8 Information about tourism for independent travellers and backpackers in South America. Chili Ski - http://chile-ski.com A guide to skiing in Chile and Argentina. Destination Explorer - http://www.journeymart.com/DExplorer/SouthAmerica/default.asp?id=11 Contains destination and travel information on the South American Continent and its countries. Ecuador, Galapagos and Peru - http://www.20riverside.freeserve.co.uk A personal travel diaries including logs of Ecuador, Peru, and a picture gallery. Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web. Submit a Site - Open Directory Project - Become an Editor Modified by Google - ©2004 Google Advertise with Us - Jobs, Press, Cool Stuff...
Argentina Travel
Argentina Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links : Explore Argentina Argentina The home of the sultry tango does a good line in fiery soccer and juicy steaks. At a Glance Fast Facts WORLDGUIDE Introduction Background Info See Image Gallery Events Transport Money RELATED Thorn Tree Forum Postcards Travel Links More Places Check out our other destinations: Within Argentina Buenos Aires View Map Click here Feature Attraction Iguazú Falls These spectacular falls lie just east of the confluence of the Iguazú and Paraná rivers. You may recognise them from the film The Mission ; appropriately, ... more Despite Argentina's recent economic woes, its pleasures - stunning natural wonders, an elegant capital with a European-flavoured sophistication, and a passionate culture - are still as tempting as ever. The silver lining to the financial cloud is that it's now one of the best travel bargains going around. This is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to feel like a local. SPONSORED LINKS Enquire Accomodation Reviews Find Lonely Planet author reviewed places to stay * Required Fields Country * Please select Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada China Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Egypt England Estonia Finland France Germany Hungary Iceland India Ireland Israel & the Palestinian Territories Italy Japan Malaysia Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Poland Portugal Russia Scotland South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Taiwan Thailand Turkey USA United Arab Emirates Vietnam City * Please select Travel Services · Flights · Hostels · Hotels · Travel Insurance More Services › Disclaimer: We've tried to make theinformation on this web site as accurate as possible, but it isprovided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injuryor inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety,customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before youtravel. text & images © lonely planet 2005 about us | privacy | feedback | advertising FAQs worldguide | shop | thorn tree forum | travel services | travel ticker | theme guides | on the road | postcards | travel links